Touro Synagogue Foundation: Virtual Presentation to Showcase Surviving Early American Synagogues
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Touro Synagogue Foundation announces the second program of its 2022 Judah Touro Program Series, to be presented virtually, via Zoom, on Thursday, May 19, at 7:30 p.m.
Guest speaker Mr. Mark W. Gordon will give a talk titled “Rediscovering Jewish Infrastructure: Showcasing Surviving Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Synagogues in America.” The illustrated lecture is based on Gordon’s 2018 and two prior articles from American Jewish History, the journal of the American Jewish Historical Society. His research and urban exploration revealed that a surprising number of early synagogues survive, many through adaptive reuse. Mr. Gordon’s work also underscores the importance of preserving and interpreting Touro Synagogue, America’s oldest extant synagogue (1763).
Mark W. Gordon served as Principal of Urbana Consulting, LLC, which specialized in transit-oriented development and public/private partnerships from 2003 until 2020. His prior experience includes leadership positions in public finance, real estate and economic development at New Jersey Transit, the Office of Management and Budget, and the U.S. Senate in Washington. Mr. Gordon has spearheaded the saving and adaptive reuse of Newark’s Prince Street Synagogue, built in 1884. He holds a BA from Reed College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
There is no fee, but reservations are required to receive the Zoom login information. To reserve, please visit the “Events” page at tourosynagogue.org, or use the "Website" link on this page.
Please also “save the date” for the next talk in the series on the evening of Thursday, June 2, via Zoom. Details to follow.
For more information or assistance with registration, please contact Meryle Cawley at (401) 847-4794, extension 207 or meryle@tourosynagogue.org.
ABOUT the Judah Touro Series and Touro Synagogue Foundation:
Through the Judah Touro Series of lectures and other events, and in collaboration with other groups and communities across the country, Touro Synagogue Foundation seeks to connect the history of the synagogue to important themes of American History. The Foundation also seeks to develop an increasingly more relevant and sophisticated voice for that history and bring it to as wide and as diverse an audience as possible.
Originally known as “The Society of Friends of Touro Synagogue,” the Touro Synagogue Foundation was established in 1948 following the designation of Touro Synagogue, America’s oldest synagogue, as a National Historic Site. The Touro Synagogue Foundation is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit, nonsectarian organization dedicated to promoting and teaching religious diversity, colonial Jewish history, and the history of Touro Synagogue. The Foundation provides public access to the historic site, award-winning history tours, lectures, and educational programs for adults and youth. The Touro Synagogue Foundation operates public programs in partnership with the George Washington Institute for Religious Freedom, the National Park Service, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
For more information, visit www.tourosynagogue.org.
(Photo courtesy of Mark W. Gordon)
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